South Africa handed a biggest defeat for the five times champions Australia in the World Cup.
Biggest defeats for Australia in World Cups
South Africa is scheduled to play in the 10th match of the ICC World Cup 2023 against Australia on October 12 at Lucknow Stadium. Australia suffered one of the biggest defeats on World Cup tournament in the hands of South Africa.
Winning the toss, Australia chose to bowl. Quniton de Kock and Temba Bavuma opened the innings while Mitchell Starc opened the bowling attack.
De Kock was impressive with the bat as he scored 109 runs on 106 deliveries including 8 boundaries and 5 sixes. Maxwell dismissed de Kock and Bavuma who scored 35 runs. Van der Dussen scored 26 runs and was sent out by Zampa. With Markram’s dismissal for 56 runs on 44 deliveries by Cummins, South Africa scored 263.
Mitchell Starc and Maxwell dismissed two wickets each while Hazlewood, Cummins and Adam Zampa scalped one wicket each. By the end of 50 overs, South Africa scored 311 runs losing all seven wickets.
With the target of 312 runs, Mitchell Marsh and David Warner opened the innings while Lungi Ngidi opened the bowling attack. The openers failed to create an impression as they were sent out with low figures. Marco Jansen dismissed Mitchell Marsh with 7 runs while Lungi Ngidi dismissed David Warner for 13 runs.
With the dismissal of steven Smith by Rabada for 19 runs, Australia was down to 3 wickets for Steven Smith on 10th over. Marnus Labuschagne helped the side with his 46 runs and was sent out by Maharaj.
Other batters were sent out with low figures by the terrific bowling attack from South African bowlers. Kagiso Rabada dismissed three wickets while Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi scalped two wickets each. Lungi Ngidi dismissed one wicket. By the end, Australia scored 177 runs losing all 10 wickets.
Quinton de Kock was awarded with the player of the match. With his Hundred in the match, he joins the list of South African wicketkeeper to hit 100s in ODI World Cups.
While speaking in post-match conference Quinton de Kock said, It was a great win for the boys, to be honest, we didn’t know how the pitch would play, we assessed the conditions beautifully and then applied ourselves well with the bat.
The guys who spent time on the wicket, got a hand on the conditions and then used their scoring options. 311 was an above par score, I have played here for the Lucknow team (in the IPL), it becomes harder to bat second. The wicket does change a bit.
It was sweaty and humid, the bowlers were on top of their game, no real loose balls and they picked early wickets. I think we are keen to prove ourselves, we played well, but it’s just 2 games, the World Cup is a long tournament and games come quickly around, we will take it on a match-by-match basis.
South Africa will be playing their next match against the Netherlands on October 17 at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium.
